Thunder and lightning rolled across central Maine on Monday night, dropping trees and power lines in its path.
As the storm moved through Oxford County, it left over 1,000 Central Maine Power customers in the dark.
Reporter Tom Standard, on the road from covering the Peru selectmen’s meeting, had to be creative on his way home, reporting both Greenwoods Road in Peru and Route 140 in Canton were blocked by trees.
The tree that fell on Route 140 took power lines with it, as well as a vehicle.
Oxford Chief Deputy Hart Daley said the driver was taken to Rumford Hospital with facial injuries. CMP was on the scene to deal with the downed lines.
Hartford Selectmen Chairman Lee Holman reported hail falling between the size of a dime and a nickel — enough to cover the ground.
“The wind was wild,” Holman said. Despite having to batten down the hatches to keep the drapes down, she added, “My power is just fine.”
Holman explained she is off the grid and relies on solar.
According to Holman, town Road Commissioner Jeremy Johnson reported a tree down on Town Farm Road. She said Johnson was going to check other roads for debris.
Shortly after 10 p.m., Crash Road in Jay was ordered closed after washing out.
A flash flood warning and severe thunderstorm watch was posted for the Bridgton area as the deluge made its way northeast, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings for the Lewiston-Auburn area.
Although storms earlier in the afternoon prompted tornado warnings for the Gray area, sunshine is expected to return to Central Maine for much of the week.
dmcintire@sunjournal.com
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